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• ascension
  ascension

  noun

  the act of ascending; ascent.
• Ascension
  Ascension

  noun

  a British island in the S Atlantic Ocean: constituent part of St. Helena. 34 sq. mi. (88 sq. km).

ascension

¹ American  

[uh-sen-shuhn] / əˈsɛn ʃən /

noun

1. the act of ascending; ascent.

2. the Ascension, the bodily ascending of Christ from earth to heaven.

3. (initial capital letter) Ascension Day.

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Ascension ² American  

[uh-sen-shuhn] / əˈsɛn ʃən /

noun

1. a British island in the S Atlantic Ocean: constituent part of St. Helena. 34 sq. mi. (88 sq. km).

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ascension ¹ British  

/ əˈsɛnʃən /

noun

1. the act of ascending

2. astronomy the rising of a star above the horizon

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Ascension ² British  

/ əˈsɛnʃən /

noun

1. New Testament the passing of Jesus Christ from earth into heaven (Acts 1:9)

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Ascension ³ British  

/ əˈsɛnʃən /

noun

1. an island in the S Atlantic, northwest of St Helena: uninhabited until claimed by Britain in 1815. Pop: 884 (2010 est). Area: 88 sq km (34 sq miles)

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Other Word Forms

• ascensional
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of ascension

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English ascencioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin ascēnsiōn-, stem of ascēnsiō, from ascēns(us) “climbed up” (past participle of ascendere “to climb up”; see ascend) + -iō -ion

Explanation

The word ascension describes the act of rising up through the air. When a plane takes off, it is in ascension, or rising up in the sky. The noun ascension derives from the Latin word ascendere, meaning "to mound, ascend, go up." You may have observed the ascension, or rising, of a star above the horizon with your telescope. Watching the ascension of a space shuttle up into the earth's atmosphere can be a thrilling experience. The ascension of a hot air balloon up into the sky can be a beautiful sight on a summer's evening.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ascension Ascension

Anything would be better than his run-heavy scheme stunting quarterback Justin Herbert’s anticipated ascension.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

Canada is the first Commonwealth country to put the King on its banknotes outside of Britain since his ascension to the throne.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

That Jackson’s ascension by convention counts as normal is less a reflection of the process itself than a product of the preconvention roller coaster ride that brought Democrats to where they are now.

From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026

In “House of the Dragon,” another factor complicates the sons’ ascension: Their authority figures are now their mothers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

A few feet of ascension was possible if you kicked wildly, but no more.

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman

Thurman has an ongoing lawsuit against Ascension Seton Williamson and the other hospital, Ascension Seton Highland Lakes, for medical malpractice.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

“In 37 years, I’ve never seen creative work get censored by theaters in this country,” Arthur Sarkissian, Global Ascension Studios’ former head of production, who was involved in the project, told Deadline at the time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

Baptist Health and Ascension Sacred Heart are widely recognized for high-quality healthcare.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

Trade is quiet, with many European investors away due to the Ascension Day holiday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026

The preacher from the Most Holy Ascension Church had come.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Related Words

• ascent